What type of aircraft operations require a special airworthiness certificate?

A special airworthiness certificate is specifically required for operations involving aircraft that fall into certain categories, including experimental, restricted, and light-sport aircraft. This type of certification is necessary because these aircraft may not meet the same safety and airworthiness standards as standard category aircraft.

Experimental aircraft, for instance, are often built for research, development, or to demonstrate new technologies, and as such, they operate under regulations that allow for more flexibility but also carry specific requirements to ensure safety. Restricted aircraft might include those used for specific purposes such as agriculture, while light-sport aircraft require their own certification due to their limitations in size, speed, and weight.

In contrast, commercial and private operations typically utilize aircraft that are already certified for standard operations, which do not necessitate the special airworthiness certificate that pertains specifically to these special categories. Thus, the focus is on the unique operational requirements and regulatory framework surrounding experimental, restricted, and light-sport aircraft.